The Second (2018) User Reviews

Friends of Funders

[anthonyjlangford · 5/10 · 27 September 2019]

I had heard an interview with the director and the way she was going on, I was expecting this to be absolutely amazing. So I began watching and waited and waited and waited. Confusion begat boredom with it's unrealistic behavior and characters. Hard to believe this was funded at all with such awful writing. The locale is quite impressive but it requires more than that to tell a story.

Vince does a good job. That's about it.

The only Second of this film of note is the seconds of your life that tick by that are irreplaceable.

Flimsy characters in a weak story, further weakened by padding and cliches

[adam-703-808689 · 1/10 · 30 July 2018]

Rachael Blake plays a novelist who's extremely pleased with herself and makes a point of being either sour or enigmatic or both simultaneously. She and her publisher (Vince Colossimo) visit her country mansion so she can write her second novel without distractions. He seems extremely dim - for a publisher. But that's handy because all she seems to want from him is sex, or to be able to humiliate him. Nothing much happens for the first half hour. Except we meet the standard menacing local bloke in a flannelette shirt, and there are flashes of past somethings - very brief, too brief to stimulate much anticipation. Then the novelist's fun-loving besty (Susie Porter) turns up, and larger hints are made about the dark secret of their past, but not much happens that you don't expect will happen. A triangle develops, the dark secret is gradually revealed, but are the "shocking" scenes we see part of the novel being written, or are they really happening? I didn't care. This is one of those 20 minute stories that are chopped up into 90 minute jigsaw puzzles in the hope that you won't notice that not much is going on. As far as interesting characters or story are concerned, "The Second" woefully neglects its audience.

What a waste of an evening!

[ken-06850 · 1/10 · 16 November 2018]

Not much positive to say, except that the landscapes were often stunning.

Trite Nonsense

[winbah-92226 · 1/10 · 1 August 2018]

The first minute of this film made me dislike the central character. I persevered with the movie for another hour feeling that it had possibility. Once the gore started it totally lost me. The plot is confused and silly. The characters are all one dimensional and unlikable. Don't waste 90 minutes of your life on this nonsense.

Screen Australia Screen Queensland

[tonyforrest · 1/10 · 6 January 2019]

Do you actually read scripts? A filmmaker finds an amazing house in outback Queensland, and writes a script to fit the house? Even with no available water, the pool is empty, but hey, best add a pool scene? And who left the various wine glasses on the tables in the hall? The crew? The Second is an example why the funding bodies have few hits and lots of misses. A weak, no a pathetic script which four reasonable Australian actors did their best. Maybe ad lib might have been better. Go for it you guys.

Destined for Greatness

[lavatch · 2/10 · 16 March 2024]

There was good potential in the scenario about a bestselling author writing about the apparently seminal event in her life in which a young neighbor boy drowned. There was also a good rivalry developed between the writer and her bestie, the muse. Both characters were vying for the honor of being "destined for greatness."

Unfortunately, for a film about writing, the screenplay was enormously flimsy, especially in the home stretch of the film.

The main problem was that the story about the boy was never made credible. The scrawny physique and spindly arms made it impossible to believe that he could overpower the writer and the muse.

Another disappointing choice was in why the publisher would be hunted down by the two women. Why wouldn't they invite him to be a part of their "secret" and carefully explain to him that the boy's death was for the most part an accident?

In a film based on the revelation of a secret, the narrative went off the rails in the final fifteen minutes. Even the detective seemed like a cardboard character.

Not only did the writer's first novel sound lackluster, but the second would almost be an even greater dud, just like this movie.

Great Aussie Movie

[benonwax · 9/10 · 17 August 2018]

Great Aussie landscape and actors in a European-esque complex emotional mystery. Would fit well between some of the more in an international field. Something that stands out and above from the regular slew of usual horrors and self-deprecating comedies that normally find their way to screen. And well handled by the stellar cast who all have many moments to shine

An impressive, tense, Australian psychological drama.

[pkodicek · 9/10 · 19 August 2018]

A well crafted and well scripted, character driven 3 piece, that does away with the well worn Aussie stereotypes, to create a drama/thriller with tension, intrigue and sexual tension, that keeps the audience guessing until it's final resolution, with great performances - including a standout from Rachael Blake. The film is also wonderful to look at, with location and landscape well supported by beautiful production and costume design and cinematography with a moody European sensibility. An impressive work from director Mairi Cameron.

Mesmerising

[fleurcameron · 10/10 · 18 August 2018]

Fascinating, strong female characters, clever dialogue and an intriguing puzzle of a plot. I was gripped from start to finish. This is courageous Australian filmmaking. Delicious! More please!!!

A Beautifully Crafted Film

[bradleytkc · 9/10 · 16 August 2018]

Great performances from top shelf actors The story grabs you and has unexpected surprises Beautifully shot, great art department and a stunning sound track Queensland film makers doing it their way on the Western Downs - real good. First time director - fabulous job Do yourself a favor and see it Very Distinctive

Quite brilliant

[queenofthedamned83 · 8/10 · 18 June 2019]

You don't often see something of this quality, great scenery, acting and a twisty, almost implausible plot combined to perfection.